Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-10-15
FORREST AND HIS MEN,

The Wizard OF the SRd0le-StlrrfnR Mem
cries of War Times In Tennessee.
DR.. Kelley of Nashville delivered 9
lecture at Montesgle, Tenn, last week or
Gederal n B. Forrest, in whose memory
o monument, it is to be hoped, will soor
be erected at Memphis. DR.. Kelly was g
colonel in the Confederate forces, and was
presented to Forrest, who was q man tc
attract attention anyWh re. He stood
SIX feet high, had large, massive head
projecting forehead, calm, gentle, digni-
fed manner. On horseback his presence
was grand. He knew good horse, and
could ride one appreclatlVelY. The day
before the battle OF Shiloh Forrest was
made a colonel, DR.. Kelly, second in
command, lieutenant, colonel. In 1914
they were sometimess eDarate0. Inpass-
ing, DE-. Kelley said he did not believe
Tennessee Or the south appreciated the
fine capacity of Forrest.
Lee once said in reply to the question,
"Who has displayed the greatest aptitude
for ractics?" ga man 1 never saw, in
West Tennessee, General Forrest"
Johnson said that Forrest WAS bettel
suited to certain difficult places than any
man 10 America
little incident was recounted of For
rest. Calling upon wounded prisoner
at his home, he asked for the wounded
man, then said to his wife: "Madame, l
turn this prisoner over to you" The
Woman's rapture shore through tears, and
she threw her arms around his knees.
Forrest was touched. The drops fell
upon mis- hands as he took his chargers
reins from the aides hands and rode
away.
Forests ethical side of character was
not developed. His superstitious belief
in Gods power, mothers and wife's
prayers sustained him. He rode by Colo
mel Kelley with the words: care you
praying? So am l." After Chickemsugs
Forrest was so aggravated by the failure
to pursue the advantage that he told
Bragg sit was an outrage" Shortly sf-
ter this General Forrest was placed under
General Wheeler Of Alabama. Forrest
always believed that had the victory of
Fort Donelson been followed up the whole
command of federals could have been
captured. So indignant was he that in q
rage he resigned his command to Bragg,
but President Davis would not acce pit it.
Two points the lecturer endeavorer to
make clear-the effect of Forests
strength upon military men; the impress
sion he made upon the world Of the power
and proper use Of cavalry in modern war
fare. A courier captured crossing his
line had this dispatch: "Look out,
front, flank and rear; Forrest undoubt-
eddy across the river" Persistent fertil-
ity Of resource was the ground OF his
success. In the battle OF Nashville, For
rest had conspicuous part. He was at
MQEfreesooro. The fight was at General
Hsrding's to the Cumberland river. The
fght began st the Spence house st 8
oiRzock. At O'Clock, they had made
taeir way to the Davidson house. Here
1A the report be true Of numbers in the
last article In "The Century'') 1900 men
were held at bay for eight hours. Every
individual private Of Forests command
was trained to an unbounded belief in
power to succeed.
Granny White pike. 1t wss stubborn
fight. Forests men were still confront
ed by Overwhelming numbers. Here
their e9aurance came from Forests in
fuences
Dr.sKelly had been asked whether
FOREST could have commanded large
forse.
In answer he could testify that the
practical suggestions of the natural war
rior were the safeguard of the Confeder-
ate army under Hood. "Forrest took
Hoods army out of Tennessee" Heed
himself said in DR.. Kelley's presence thas
to Forrest ne owed everything TIC
roads were wretched. Three 9hundrga
mules mired were left standing to diesdt
being impossible to get them up. .sThe
army was saved from Thomas sHry of
5000 cavalry. Forrest looked likek lion
10 Hoods rear, took every position, !
captured field pieces and covered
the retreat. DR.. Kelley here gave a
thrilling picture of the Confederates-
takir trousers torn Of at the bottom to
.5ree them of mud, haversack and KNAPP
ssack thrown down, although starvation
stared theE IN the face, the poor fellows
too weak sud miserable to carry their
sburdeuay the muskets still clasped close
asskeir best friend. The crossing of the